You guys! This week, the Social Committee of the Designer Section of the Craft and Hobby Association is hosting a MAHOOSIVE blog hop– five days of inspiration and information as we get ready for the annual Conference and Trade Show in January. Over 50 blogs are participating, and after all is said and done, one lucky reader is going to score a $650 Visa gift card. That lucky reader could be YOU! Keep reading for the lowdown…

I look forward to the CHA show every year. It’s packed with every type of crafting product you can imagine (many of which are debuted at the show) and populated by a big ‘ol bunch of craft pros tossing around inspiration and ideas like confetti.

And, okay, on a more personal note, there’s nothing quite like stepping off a plane from icy, wintry Idaho in a post-holiday haze and seeing green grass and palm trees and a gang of creative girlfriends ready to take the Anaheim Convention Center by storm. Each year, some combination of my besties meets up for some “Us Time,” and it’s just.. well, it’s joyful.

The day before the Trade Show kicks off, there are always fantastic workshops, and I’ve been fortunate enough to attend a few. Actually, there are classes throughout the conference that cover a huge variety of topics. Whether you’re a designer, a pro blogger, a manufacturer, a business owner or a marketer, there’s plenty to choose from.

But, once the show floor opens, it’s all serious business (or not)…

Every time you turn a corner you see some incredibly talented person teaching a class, hosting a make-and-take, doing a demo… HOLY COW, it’s Seth Apter! (I’m a total fangirl.)

There are samples galore at the manufacturers’ booths…

…and book signings by fantastic authors. Hey, that’s Dina Wakley!

My very favorite thing about the CHA Show? The chance to connect with beloved old friends…

… and make new friends, too. This one’s the strong, silent type. (And yes, that was some INCREDIBLE needle work to behold!)

Every year, I bring home the happiest memories, and enough creative go-juice to keep me crafting for months.

What? Oh, yeah, that $650 gift card! Okay, here’s the deal. Clickity-click right here for the the full list of hop-able blogs for the week, and set aside some time tomorrow and Friday to check out the fresh posts scheduled for those days. You can enter to win that giant jackpot at every blog you visit!

There are three entry options, and I suggest you take full advantage of ’em all:

1. Leave a comment here (mandatory) answering the question – “What is your favorite ‘can’t live without’ craft supply or tool?”
2. Tweet about the giveaway (your tweet must include the #CHAshow hashtag. You can tweet daily for extra entries!)
3. Answer a multiple-choice poll about how often you “Cre8Time” for crafting (this one has double entry value!)

26 Comments

I’d love to have the vision to be able to create the Easter Island head (and wrap/scarf). My favorite craft tool is the craft knife.

Jane
December 11, 2015 @
8:32 am

Great recap of CHA. I can feel your excitement building for 2016! My can’t live without tool has to be my non-stick craft sheet.

TracyM #6773
December 11, 2015 @
3:13 am

Hope you have heaps of FUN meeting old friends, making new ones and enjoy EXCITING CHA ADVENTURES 🙂
PS – I can’t live without my self healing craft mat, it is part of every project I create. I use the cutting side to cut, the grid on the cutting side to align and the reverse side for when I am adhering layers together AND as a sturdy base for my Big Shot when I’m die cutting and embossing too => YES, it is an AWESOME tool!!!

loved your recap! With each post I read on this blog hop, I’m more excited about going in just a few weeks!

Nancy D.
December 10, 2015 @
2:02 pm

Papers, inks, pens oh my & so much more..! See you at CHA Linda

barb macaskill
December 10, 2015 @
7:56 am

My must haves are paper, adhesives and dies!! Would love to go to CHA one day!! I think I would be like a kid in the biggest candy store in the universe! What a pleasure it would be to meet all the designers that I love to follow and see all the awesome new products headed our way!Off to dream!!!

Hello from MaryOklahomaThoma at http://make-it-in-oklahoma.blogspot.com/
Some day I will get to go to CHA but for now I must live vicariously through all the wonderful promos for the show. My most important crafting supply…this hard, like putting your children in order of who you love most. Lately it’s been my black stabillo pencil. I use it to sketch and block in darks for an underpainting of shadows and shapes. Now if you ask me this question again in a week it may be a different answer depending on who or what is inspiring me to create.

Linda, thank you so much for sharing your pictures from CHA. I am blown away by the needle work piece. Someone has a lot of patience. I must say that my must-have product is my big shot. The only way I could live without it is if I were to win the Spellbinders Platinum!! I so want that machine. It certainly would expedite my crafting projects. I have the pleasure to work in my craft room every day as I am retired. What a blessing. I have shared about this wonderful blog hop at https://twitter.com/guneauxdesigns . Thanks, Linda, for participating in the Hop!

Sooooooooooooo loved seeing these pictures Linda. You ALL look so great! What fun you will all have meeting up again this year. Oh – and I love your hunkin’ gigantic “new” friend picture too – adorable!!! Favorite – can’t live without – craft supply or tool… hmmmmm – dear me…. it would have to be paint – any kind of paint… seems like to me. I have even painted with shoe polish!!! Happy Christmas Linda and safe, wonderful, fabulous travels to CHA!!! j.